Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Graduate Student Funds=Travel and Learning!

I had the pleasure of presenting with four graduate students this summer to Philadephia for the ISTE Conference. We were able to attend this amazing international conference together and enjoy the sites in Philly. Gradudate student funds are available to all graduate students in each department of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Graduate students may apply through this link: http://www.rockhurst.edu/academic/education/about/news.asp. Hear from one of my students: Tasha Howard and how she felt about the trip....

Four graduate students descended on Philadelphia as nervous pre-service teachers, not at all sure how we would fit into a conference that was sure to be overrun with experienced and veteran educators. I feel confidant in saying that we all left Philadelphia with a whole new respect for the education profession. The ISTE conference was one of the most rewarding experiences of my educational journey at RockhurstUniversity. Not only did I learn about the latest technological innovations in the classroom, but I was able to meet seasoned teachers who were more than willing to share their personal experiences with technology in their classrooms. Dr. Sonnenberg mentored us as students and as colleagues, which allowed us to flourish at our Rockhurst University Poster Session. Which was a complete success!

We also seized the opportunity to do some sight seeing while in the city of “brotherly love.” Everything we encountered while in Philadelphia was one more tool we will be able to take into our future classrooms. Making the trip all the more rewarding. From running up the famous “Rocky Stairs” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, walking along the same cobblestone path that Benjamin Franklin once did, standing beside the Liberty Bell and finally standing in the very room the Declaration of Independence was signed, were all experiences that I will never forget. Without a doubt, I will take this experience into my future classroom. If I ever have the opportunity to attend a similar conference, it would be a no-brainer, I am there.